The Plot Thickens, Slightly

Saturday, the Sun Telegraph posted the following letter to the editor from Herb Nelson, a long-time Sidney resident:

===
Sen. Nelson Is No Coward

Published: Friday, January 15th, 2010

Editor,

In the Jan. 9, 2010, issue of The Sidney Sun-Telegraph, Michael Rowland called Sen. Ben Nelson a coward.

It is sad that someone has to resort to that belief and have it published. Sen. Nelson has thousands of constituents in Nebraska and, in his leadership role in the United States Senate, he must be responsive to thousands of others.
When would he have time to talk to a radical conservative?

I don’t readily have the author’s name but the following quote makes a lot of sense: “Those who don’t know and don’t know that they don’t know are fools. Shun them.”

I believe that a more responsible opportunity for Mr. Rowland would be to run for a public office like the Sidney City Council. That would be a leadership role and a good learning experience.

Herb Nelson,
Sidney
===

Below is my response. I do not expect Herb Nelson to read this, nor the paper print it, however, it bears discussion that the issue now is that Ben Nelson's supports believe he should communicate with those who are not predisposed to the Senator's beliefs.

Editor,

Normally I would not respond to another person's letter to the editor responding to something I submitted. I generally hold a belief that thoughts should be discussed and if the discussion causes others to think about a topic enough to respond, so much the better. I make an exception in this case, due primarily to the personal nature Mr. Nelson takes in his response. Herb Nelson's reply added nothing to a civil debate on the merits of a elected official's duty to maintain contact with constituents, and to reasonably accommodate a constituent's request for communication from time to time.

It  has been clear from Herb Nelson's previous comments that his belief system is firmly rooted in the government being responsible for us all.  In truth, Senator Nelson has nearly two million constituents in Nebraska, not the thousands Herb spoke of. It is easy to say that the Senator has thousands of others to pay attention to, rather than citizens from his own state. Among those who garner the Senator's ear these days: labor unions, the Democratic Caucus and the Senate Majority leader. Nebraska is a right to work state and as such, Senator Nelson should give them little to no consideration in deference to Nebraskan's long standing tradition of getting things done on our own. Fully 87 percent of people surveyed in Nebraska said they were likely to not vote again for Senator Nelson after he voted to increase taxes and reduce benefits. It wasn't a right wing poll, but an even sample of registered voters from both parties in the state.

Herb Nelson wants to paint me as a, "radical conservative." He has no idea what political party I am affiliated with, if affiliated at all. He excuses the Senator as not having the time to talk to such a person, asking why would he take the time? Here is the reason: Senator Nelson isn't just the Senator for Herb Nelson and members of the liberal side of the state. Senator Nelson is the Senator for all of us, including conservatives, liberals, moderates and independents. Being told that he doesn't have time to talk to those whose beliefs he does not hold and being excused by people such as Mr. Nelson really isn't in keeping with the best traditions of Nebraska.

I don't need to be a member of the City Council to understand the cost implications of my Senator's choice.  Why would someone subject themselves to the kind of outcry Councilman Van Vleet, a respected member of the community, was subjected to for suggesting that the economic development director and City Manager positions possibly be separated.

Mr. Nelson is a bit forward in suggesting that I need leadership coaching experience.My professional record speaks for itself. Mr. Nelson should be ashamed for excusing Senator Nelson, who's staff member is 3 days late of providing the follow up she promised. Perhaps Mr. Nelson would be willing to stand in for Senator Nelson and debate me in public about the merits of the Health Care Bill being discussed in Congress presently. You know, the bill the President told us would be broadcast on CSpan.

The phrase Herb offered in his letter, "Those who don’t know and don’t know that they don’t know are fools. Shun them." is paraphrased from an arabic proverb. A better phrase might be found in Ezekiel: "Son of man, you live in the midst of the rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house."  I enclose the arabic proverb below for reference.

It is sad Mr. Nelson is ready to shun a member of the community, a member who sought to express a constitutionally protected right of free speech.

Michael Rowland
Sidney

"He that knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool. Shun him He that knows not, and knows  that he knows not is a pupil. Teach him. He that knows, and knows not that he knows is asleep. Wake him. He that knows,  and knows that he knows is a teacher. Follow him." -arabic proverb